URC semi-final line-up: Stormers SA’s last hope

The Stormers are predictably South Africa’s last hope in this season’s United Rugby Championship (URC) as they became the only SA side to qualify for the competition semi-finals.

It is an Irish invasion in the semis, to be battled out next weekend, with three teams from Ireland making the last four, while the Cape Town side is the odd one out.

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The Stormers were extremely grateful to Connacht for pulling off the upset of the weekend by beating Ulster 15-10 in Belfast in their quarterfinal, which opened the door for a home semifinal for a South African side.

The Stormers then did the job in their quarterfinal against the Bulls, beating them comfortably 33-21 to secure a home semi against Connacht.

On the other side of the draw tournament favourites Leinster cruised to a thumping 35-5 win over the Sharks, setting up possibly three massive matches over the next three weekends for the Irish giants.

With Munster beating Glasgow Warriors 14-5 in Scotland in the last quarterfinal of the weekend, a game dominated by defence, it sets up a tasty last four meeting with their massive local rivals.

However Leinster will be heavy favourites to progress to a home final, while they will also host the Champions Cup final in Dublin a week before the URC final which will be an incredible three weekends for them.

The Stormers will also now be favourites to progress to another final to try and defend their URC crown, but if they are to meet Leinster in Ireland it will be a huge ask for them to clinch a second consecutive title.